5 Things We Loved About Princess Diana's Dress

With royal wedding fever in full swing, we can't help but feel nostalgic for Prince Charles and Princess Diana's big day. Wed in July of 1981, the lavish affair brought in millions of people across the globe through a television broadcast. Sure, we remember the cathedral, the vows, and...how could we forget that sapphire ring?

Yet, above all, a vision of her wedding dress is set in our minds like mama's pie dough recipe embedded into our palms. Here are a few of our favorite features of the gown.

1. The pearls

Designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel, Diana's wedding dress featured 10,000 pearls. We only wish we could have been in London at St. Paul's Cathedral ourselves to take in the stunning detail in-person.

2. The train

As Southern gals, we love a long train and Diana's was 25 feet of ivory dreams. We repeat: 25 feet. Fun fact: In case Diana's dress design made it to the media before her wedding day, a backup dress was made for the soon-to-be Princess of Wales.

Princess Diana rocked her signature side-swept shaggy hairstyle for her wedding to Prince Charles at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London on July 29, 1981. She topped her bridal ‘do with the stunning Spencer Tiara, opting not to wear the Lover’s Knot Tiara offered to her by Queen Elizabeth II.

Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty

3. The puffed sleeves

Something about the over-the-top puffed sleeves just reminds us of the matriarchs in our family wearing this style of long-sleeved wedding dresses on their big day.

4. The lace trim

We sure do love us some antique lace. On Diana's dress, the lace was passed down from Queen Mary. After all, how wonderful is it to incorporate some family history into your wedding dress?

Okay, we know it's not the dress, but it's hard not to swoon for Diana's show-stopping tiara and veil. The veil came in at an impressive 153 yards, and the tiara Diana wore was an heirloom from the 1700s, according to Town and Country. It's hard to deny that the elegant and airy veil and tiara complemented the rich textures of Diana's gown ever-so-delightfully.